Effect of border crops on pest population in Lablab bean (Lablab purpureus L.)

Abstract

The research project entitled “Pest management in Lablab bean (Lablab purpureus L.) by using border crops” was undertaken at Agronomy Farm, College of Agriculture, Dapoli during rabi 2016-17. The appearance of Lablab bean aphid started from week 1 (1st week of January) and noticed up to week 12 (3rd week of March). Overall mean aphid population per leaf per plant was in the range of 11.70 to 30.17. The minimum mean aphid population (11.70) was recorded in Sweet corn as a border crop which was at par with Marigold, Safflower, Cowpea, Mustard, Coriander, Sunflower, and Sesame which recorded 11.94, 12.83, 13.01, 13.26, 13.71, 13.79 and 14.48 mean aphid population, respectively. The leaf eating caterpillar, S. litura was recorded from week 1 (1st week of January) to week 12 (3rd week of March). Overall mean number of holes made by leaf eating caterpillar per leaf per plant in twelve weeks was in the range of 0.60 to 2.17. The treatments Coriander, Mustard, Sweet corn, Sesame, Safflower, Cowpea and Marigold recorded minimum number of holes per leaf per plant of 0.70, 0.74, 0.77, 0.78, 0.86, 0.87 and 0.93, respectively. The infestation of pod borer, M. vitrata was noticed from week 7 (2nd week of February) and persisted till the harvest of crop. Overall per cent infestation of pod borer in six weeks was in the range of 9.93 to 19.81. The minimum mean Pod borer infestation (9.93%) was recorded in Sweet corn as a border crop which was at par with Sunflower (10.21%), Mustard (10.22%), Coriander (10.41%), Marigold (10.66%) and Sesamum (11.13%).